Lake Wobegone, Texas: Accountability tests are reversing strides made toward more transparency

Goldwater Institute ^

[Reagan Fellow]

States are racing to the bottom. As federal “proficiency requirements” approach 100% in 2014, the correct number of questions required to score proficient on state education tests like AIMS is getting lower and lower.

In the process, we are losing transparency in public schools. This phenomenon can be seen in the birthplace of NCLB: Texas. Below are the scores on the Texas version of AIMS, TAKS, from Bridge Point Elementary near Austin. The results are similar to other reasonably high-performing elementary schools across the state, that is student passing rates cluster near 100%.

Can Bridgepoint administrators use this information to assess the effectiveness of new learning programs? No. Can parents in this district discriminate between the relative effectiveness of the schools? Not likely. Are these kids maximizing their potential? Who can say? The only information given is that these kids are all proficient at very basic skills.

We are heading towards a future where all students pass absurdly easy exams, a return to an information dark age. In the new Lake Wobegone, every child won’t be just above average, but also “proficient.” To avoid this train wreck, Congress needs to amend No Child Left Behind to allow states to design their own accountability system.

[mtbopfuyn]

Take that article with a truckload of salt because that's not the typical school. See the demographics - 1% is getting reduced lunches and only 4% is hispanic.

[goodwithagun]

I disagree. I am currently preparing my 10th graders for the Ohio Graduation Test. I teach both Language Arts and History. These tests are very easy to pass-- all one has to do is attend class regularly and pay attention. All of our students receive free breakfasts, about 75% receive free or reduced lunches, and 49% of our students are black. The reason that our students fail is because they are undisciplined and don't attend class regularly. When they do attend class, they sleep.